AI-calculated strategy research on official daily TSP share-price history: live transfer signals, year-by-year returns, and projections — all rules-compliant under the official 2-IFT monthly limit.
AI-calculated signal shows which fund the 3-month relative-strength rule points to now, with exact historical transfer dates.
AI-driven back-tests rank strategies for higher CAGR and lower max drawdown than buy-and-hold equity alone, inside TSP rules.
Projection calculator, analyzer, fund history, comparison, strategy rule, and TSP transfer rules reference.
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Estimate future balance based on your current balance, contributions, expected growth rate, and years until retirement. Rates are editable — historical CAGRs are provided as optional presets only.
Pure historical monthly returns and share prices for the C, S, I, and G Funds. No rotation, timing, or transfer rules applied — just the funds themselves.
At each month-end, calculate the prior 3-month total return of the C Fund, S Fund, and I Fund.
Rank the three funds. If the highest-ranked fund has a positive 3-month return → allocate 100% to that fund for the next month.
Capital preservation (drawdown defense): If all three equity funds have zero or negative 3-month returns — a signal that markets are in a sustained pullback — transfer 100% into the G Fund. The G Fund does not lose principal; this is how the strategy cuts historical max drawdown to about –14% versus about –51% for buy-and-hold C.
When to leave G: At the next month-end where any of C, S, or I again shows a positive 3-month return, transfer 100% into that leading fund. Do not stay in G after momentum has turned up.
Submit any needed interfund transfer before 12:00 noon Eastern Time so it receives that day’s closing prices.
Produces at most one transfer per calendar month → fully inside the official TSP limit of two unrestricted IFTs per month.
Why G on weakness, not a tighter stop: Extra portfolio drawdown stops (e.g. “sell everything at –5% or –10%”) were tested on this history. They either never triggered beyond the existing –14% path, or they cut CAGR sharply by exiting too early and missing recoveries. The 3-month all-negative → G rule is the capital-preservation switch that maximized return and limited drawdown under the 2-IFT constraint.
These are the operational limits that apply when moving money among G, F, C, S, I, and L funds. Always confirm the latest wording on tsp.gov before acting.
Two unrestricted transfers per calendar month. You may make two unrestricted interfund transfers (IFTs) each calendar month among any combination of the G, F, C, S, I, and L Funds.
After the second transfer — G Fund only. Any additional transfers in the same calendar month may only move money into the G Fund. You cannot move from G into other funds until the next month.
Processing date is what counts. The transfer counts against the month in which TSP processes it. Submit before 12:00 noon Eastern Time on a business day to receive that day’s closing prices and same-day processing in most cases.
The quota resets every month. Your two unrestricted IFTs reset on the first calendar day of each new month. Unused transfers do not carry over.
Contribution allocation is separate. Changing how future contributions are invested has no monthly limit and does not count as an interfund transfer.
This tool stays inside the limit. Every strategy shown here uses at most one transfer per month, so you remain fully compliant with the two-IFT rule and keep a spare transfer if needed.
At month-end, compute 3-month returns for C, S, and I and pick the leader (or G if all ≤ 0%).
If the recommended fund differs from what you hold, place one IFT before noon ET — that is your only strategy transfer for the month.
Optionally set future contribution allocation to the same fund (does not use an IFT).
Morning snapshot for members. Index levels via public market data when available; otherwise the latest TSP research window on this site. Not investment advice. Markets can gap overnight — confirm live prices before any transfer.
Updates on strategy research, site tools, and membership. Check back for new notes as research is refreshed.
A combined $40/month Membership + Consultation option is available. Initial consultation is free. Tools-only monthly remains $19/mo; annual tools-only is $149/yr.
Strategy research (projected transfers, calendars, and 2026 YTD) is available on the Strategies tab inside membership — no separate strategies page.
The public Benefits page includes an interactive growth calculator comparing G Fund (~4%), money market (8%), and an illustrated TSP Maxing path (18%), plus an updated growth-of-$10,000 chart.
Strategy results remain based on official daily TSP share prices from June 2003 through early October 2026. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Strategy research on daily TSP share prices (2003-06-02 → 2026-10-06). Day-of-month, seasonal, relative-strength, and trend rules under the 2-IFT limit. See 2026 YTD, transfer calendar, Top 100 and balanced picks.
AI-assisted schedule of upcoming interfund transfers for the selected strategy, using the latest available TSP share prices and the strategy’s own rules. Follows TSP limits: at most 2 unrestricted IFTs per calendar month, submitted by 12:00 noon ET on a trading day.
Projections for momentum/trend rules are checkpoints (re-evaluate at month-end); the destination fund is TBD until new returns post. Day-window rules produce fixed calendar dates. Not a guarantee — confirm signals and deadlines on tsp.gov.
Select a strategy to see transfer dates.
IFT = transfer month · Hold = no change · TBD = future months
Data window: 2026-01-02 → 2026-10-06 (191 trading days). Submit IFTs by 12:00 noon ET on trading days. Confirm on tsp.gov. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
All strategy results on this page are computed from the project daily price file (TSP_Daily_Share_Prices.csv), not month-end samples alone.
Ranked by total return on daily TSP prices from 2026-01-02 through 2026-10-06 (191 trading days). Annualized column scales the partial year for comparison only.
| # | Strategy | YTD return | Ann. rate* | Max DD | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I days 5–31 / else G | 18.58% | 25.2% | -6.7% | Day-of-month window |
| 2 | RS 4-month | 18.46% | 25.0% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 3 | RS 4-month → G | 18.46% | 25.0% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 4 | I days 3–31 / else G | 17.91% | 24.3% | -10.0% | Day-of-month window |
| 5 | S days 1–22 / else G | 17.89% | 24.2% | -7.3% | Day-of-month window |
| 6 | I days 5–31 / else F | 17.65% | 23.9% | -7.3% | Day-of-month window |
| 7 | I days 3–31 / else F | 17.02% | 23.0% | -10.4% | Day-of-month window |
| 8 | Buy & hold I | 16.69% | 22.6% | -11.4% | Buy & hold |
| 9 | I days 1–31 / else G | 16.69% | 22.6% | -11.4% | Day-of-month window |
| 10 | I days 1–31 / else F | 16.69% | 22.6% | -11.4% | Day-of-month window |
| 11 | RS 12-month | 16.69% | 22.6% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 12 | RS 12-month → G | 16.69% | 22.6% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 13 | S days 1–22 / else F | 16.61% | 22.5% | -7.4% | Day-of-month window |
| 14 | S days 1–25 / else G | 16.00% | 21.6% | -7.3% | Day-of-month window |
| 15 | I days 5–22 / else G | 15.80% | 21.3% | -6.3% | Day-of-month window |
| 16 | I days 5–25 / else G | 15.78% | 21.3% | -6.3% | Day-of-month window |
| 17 | RS 2-month | 15.48% | 20.9% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 18 | RS 6-month | 15.26% | 20.6% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 19 | RS 6-month → G | 15.26% | 20.6% | -11.4% | Relative strength |
| 20 | I days 7–31 / else G | 15.25% | 20.6% | -6.6% | Day-of-month window |
| 21 | I days 3–22 / else G | 15.14% | 20.4% | -9.6% | Day-of-month window |
| 22 | I days 3–25 / else G | 15.12% | 20.4% | -9.6% | Day-of-month window |
| 23 | Buy & hold C | 14.98% | 20.2% | -8.9% | Buy & hold |
| 24 | C days 1–31 / else G | 14.98% | 20.2% | -8.9% | Day-of-month window |
| 25 | C days 1–31 / else F | 14.98% | 20.2% | -8.9% | Day-of-month window |
*Annualized from partial-year path — not a full-year guarantee. YTD leaders can change as the year continues. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Strategies are generated and ranked in the spirit of combinatorial / seasonal TSP research (e.g. tspcalc-style day schedules):
In-sample seasonal maps can look very strong on the same history used to fit them. Prefer rules you can explain; “2-IFT enforced” freezes the position after the second transfer in a month when a map would otherwise exceed the limit.
Ranks by historical CAGR with a penalty for deep drawdowns and for exceeding 2 IFTs/month.
| # | Strategy | Hist. CAGR | Max DD | Xfers/yr | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seasonal day-windows (2-IFT enforced) | 21.65% | -31.6% | 18.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 2 | Seasonal day-windows (in-sample) | 24.28% | -30.3% | 19.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 3 | RS 3-month → G | 12.20% | -18.1% | 4.8 | Relative strength |
| 4 | Seasonal map 12.88% | 12.88% | -30.8% | 22.6 | Seasonal calendar |
| 5 | Seasonal map 12.84% | 12.84% | -31.3% | 21.3 | Seasonal calendar |
| 6 | RS 4-month → G | 11.31% | -24.1% | 4.3 | Relative strength |
| 7 | Seasonal map 13.18% | 13.18% | -37.4% | 21.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 8 | Seasonal map 11.36% | 11.36% | -26.2% | 23.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 9 | Seasonal map 11.33% | 11.33% | -26.3% | 21.2 | Seasonal calendar |
| 10 | C vs G trend 3mo | 10.05% | -18.4% | 2.2 | Trend filter |
Highest full-period compound rates on 2003-06-02 → 2026-10-06 daily prices. Top rows include in-sample seasonal maps; lower rows include RS, trend, and fixed windows.
| # | Strategy | Hist. CAGR | Max DD | Xfers/yr | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seasonal day-windows (in-sample) | 24.28% | -30.3% | 19.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 2 | Seasonal day-windows (2-IFT enforced) | 21.65% | -31.6% | 18.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 3 | Seasonal map 13.18% | 13.18% | -37.4% | 21.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 4 | Seasonal map 12.92% | 12.92% | -47.9% | 21.9 | Seasonal calendar |
| 5 | Seasonal map 12.88% | 12.88% | -30.8% | 22.6 | Seasonal calendar |
| 6 | Seasonal map 12.84% | 12.84% | -31.3% | 21.3 | Seasonal calendar |
| 7 | Seasonal map 12.53% | 12.53% | -41.1% | 22.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 8 | Seasonal map 12.43% | 12.43% | -46.3% | 23.6 | Seasonal calendar |
| 9 | Seasonal map 12.33% | 12.33% | -38.0% | 21.9 | Seasonal calendar |
| 10 | Seasonal map 12.27% | 12.27% | -41.7% | 23.6 | Seasonal calendar |
| 11 | Seasonal map 12.26% | 12.26% | -55.3% | 22.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 12 | Seasonal map 12.25% | 12.25% | -40.6% | 23.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 13 | RS 3-month → G | 12.20% | -18.1% | 4.8 | Relative strength |
| 14 | Seasonal map 12.07% | 12.07% | -38.9% | 18.2 | Seasonal calendar |
| 15 | Seasonal map 11.93% | 11.93% | -36.8% | 22.4 | Seasonal calendar |
| 16 | Seasonal map 11.92% | 11.92% | -43.6% | 19.1 | Seasonal calendar |
| 17 | Seasonal map 11.91% | 11.91% | -50.3% | 21.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 18 | Seasonal map 11.83% | 11.83% | -40.6% | 22.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 19 | Seasonal map 11.80% | 11.80% | -30.9% | 23.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 20 | Seasonal map 11.78% | 11.78% | -49.4% | 21.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 21 | Seasonal map 11.77% | 11.77% | -37.3% | 24.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 22 | Seasonal map 11.68% | 11.68% | -45.6% | 22.5 | Seasonal calendar |
| 23 | C days 1–18 / else F | 11.66% | -52.8% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 24 | Seasonal map 11.63% | 11.63% | -47.3% | 22.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 25 | Seasonal map 11.61% | 11.61% | -35.1% | 22.9 | Seasonal calendar |
| 26 | Seasonal map 11.60% | 11.60% | -47.4% | 22.1 | Seasonal calendar |
| 27 | Seasonal map 11.49% | 11.49% | -50.9% | 21.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 28 | Seasonal map 11.48% | 11.48% | -36.7% | 23.1 | Seasonal calendar |
| 29 | C days 1–28 / else F | 11.47% | -55.4% | 20.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 30 | Buy & hold C | 11.46% | -55.2% | 0.0 | Buy & hold |
| 31 | C days 1–31 / else G | 11.46% | -55.2% | 0.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 32 | C days 1–31 / else F | 11.46% | -55.2% | 0.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 33 | RS 1-month | 11.36% | -54.7% | 7.8 | Relative strength |
| 34 | Seasonal map 11.36% | 11.36% | -26.2% | 23.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 35 | Seasonal map 11.33% | 11.33% | -26.3% | 21.2 | Seasonal calendar |
| 36 | Seasonal map 11.32% | 11.32% | -49.1% | 22.4 | Seasonal calendar |
| 37 | RS 4-month → G | 11.31% | -24.1% | 4.3 | Relative strength |
| 38 | RS 3-month | 11.27% | -59.1% | 4.2 | Relative strength |
| 39 | Seasonal map 11.24% | 11.24% | -41.4% | 23.6 | Seasonal calendar |
| 40 | Seasonal map 11.15% | 11.15% | -44.9% | 23.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 41 | Seasonal map 11.14% | 11.14% | -31.9% | 22.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 42 | Seasonal map 11.12% | 11.12% | -31.9% | 23.6 | Seasonal calendar |
| 43 | Seasonal map 11.10% | 11.10% | -27.3% | 21.8 | Seasonal calendar |
| 44 | Seasonal map 11.09% | 11.09% | -44.9% | 22.7 | Seasonal calendar |
| 45 | Seasonal map 11.07% | 11.07% | -41.5% | 22.9 | Seasonal calendar |
| 46 | Seasonal map 11.06% | 11.06% | -33.8% | 23.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 47 | Seasonal map 11.05% | 11.05% | -36.1% | 21.5 | Seasonal calendar |
| 48 | Seasonal map 11.04% | 11.04% | -48.6% | 23.0 | Seasonal calendar |
| 49 | Seasonal map 11.02% | 11.02% | -40.0% | 22.4 | Seasonal calendar |
| 50 | Seasonal map 11.01% | 11.01% | -42.9% | 23.1 | Seasonal calendar |
| 51 | Buy & hold S | 11.00% | -57.4% | 0.0 | Buy & hold |
| 52 | S days 1–31 / else G | 11.00% | -57.4% | 0.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 53 | S days 1–31 / else F | 11.00% | -57.4% | 0.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 54 | C vs G trend 12mo | 10.91% | -33.8% | 0.6 | Trend filter |
| 55 | RS 12-month | 10.77% | -58.6% | 2.1 | Relative strength |
| 56 | RS 6-month | 10.70% | -58.2% | 2.5 | Relative strength |
| 57 | C days 1–28 / else G | 10.65% | -55.1% | 20.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 58 | RS 4-month | 10.60% | -59.0% | 3.9 | Relative strength |
| 59 | RS 12-month → G | 10.50% | -33.8% | 2.3 | Relative strength |
| 60 | C days 1–18 / else G | 10.34% | -52.5% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 61 | C days 1–25 / else F | 10.29% | -59.4% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 62 | RS 2-month | 10.11% | -59.3% | 6.0 | Relative strength |
| 63 | C vs G trend 3mo | 10.05% | -18.4% | 2.2 | Trend filter |
| 64 | S days 10–31 / else G | 9.89% | -34.8% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 65 | C days 1–15 / else F | 9.82% | -54.9% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 66 | S days 1–28 / else F | 9.81% | -61.7% | 20.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 67 | RS 1-month → G | 9.58% | -29.4% | 8.6 | Relative strength |
| 68 | C/F edge-10TD | 9.40% | -55.7% | 24.0 | Month-edge window |
| 69 | C days 1–20 / else F | 9.20% | -60.7% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 70 | C vs G trend 6mo | 9.14% | -33.8% | 1.4 | Trend filter |
| 71 | S/G edge-5TD | 9.02% | -17.0% | 23.9 | Month-edge window |
| 72 | S days 1–28 / else G | 9.01% | -61.4% | 20.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 73 | C days 3–31 / else G | 8.99% | -49.8% | 19.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 74 | RS 6-month → G | 8.98% | -34.3% | 3.1 | Relative strength |
| 75 | C days 1–25 / else G | 8.91% | -59.9% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 76 | S days 15–31 / else G | 8.91% | -31.6% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 77 | C days 3–18 / else F | 8.87% | -45.0% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 78 | S days 7–31 / else G | 8.84% | -41.4% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 79 | C days 3–31 / else F | 8.68% | -48.2% | 19.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 80 | S days 10–31 / else F | 8.62% | -41.0% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 81 | S days 3–31 / else G | 8.58% | -53.5% | 19.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 82 | S days 5–31 / else G | 8.57% | -46.3% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 83 | S days 1–18 / else F | 8.48% | -56.9% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 84 | S days 5–31 / else F | 8.43% | -44.6% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 85 | C days 5–18 / else F | 8.40% | -41.7% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 86 | C days 1–15 / else G | 8.40% | -55.4% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 87 | C vs G trend 1mo | 8.38% | -26.2% | 4.8 | Trend filter |
| 88 | C days 5–31 / else G | 8.34% | -47.0% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 89 | Buy & hold I | 8.30% | -60.9% | 0.0 | Buy & hold |
| 90 | I days 1–31 / else G | 8.30% | -60.9% | 0.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 91 | I days 1–31 / else F | 8.30% | -60.9% | 0.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 92 | S days 3–31 / else F | 8.27% | -52.5% | 19.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 93 | C/F edge-7TD | 8.22% | -48.2% | 24.0 | Month-edge window |
| 94 | C days 5–31 / else F | 8.20% | -45.3% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 95 | C days 1–10 / else F | 8.07% | -43.8% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 96 | I days 1–28 / else F | 8.06% | -61.4% | 20.7 | Day-of-month window |
| 97 | RS 2-month → G | 8.01% | -34.1% | 6.4 | Relative strength |
| 98 | S days 1–25 / else F | 8.00% | -65.2% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 99 | S days 7–31 / else F | 8.00% | -40.5% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
| 100 | C days 10–31 / else G | 7.99% | -29.7% | 24.0 | Day-of-month window |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Not investment advice. Confirm all transfers on tsp.gov.
Each month-end, rank the C, S, and I funds by trailing 3-month total return. Hold the leader at 100% if its 3-month return is positive. If all three are ≤ 0%, move to the G Fund to help preserve capital until equity momentum returns.
Use month-end share prices; compute 3-month returns.
Highest 3-month return among the three equity funds.
Leader > 0% → hold it. All ≤ 0% → 100% G Fund.
One IFT when the target fund changes; before noon ET.
Back-tested on official TSP share-price history. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Strategy | Hist. CAGR | Max drawdown | Transfers / yr | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS 3-mo → G (flagship) | ~11.9% | −13.9% | ~4.8 | Primary membership recommendation |
| Buy & hold C Fund | ~11.3% | −50.9% | 0 | Strong growth, deep drawdowns |
| Buy & hold S Fund | ~10.4% | −52.2% | 0 | Small/mid-cap tilt |
| Buy & hold I Fund | ~7.1% | ~−50%+ | 0 | International equity |
| Buy & hold G Fund | ~3.0% | 0.0% | 0 | Principal stability, low growth |
Exact figures depend on the data window and methodology. Use the member Recommendations and Comparison tools for the live AI-calculated series.
Simple equity exposure. Competitive long-run return historically, but large peak-to-trough declines in bear markets.
Always stay in the leading equity fund. Can keep equity risk on when all momentum is negative — higher path volatility.
Maximum stability. Useful as a temporary defense, not as a long-term growth engine for most long-horizon members.
Always confirm current rules, cutoffs, and share prices on tsp.gov.
Goal: maximize historical returns while reducing drawdowns, inside the 2-IFT monthly limit. The 3-month relative-strength rule (C/S/I, G when all equity momentum is negative) was the best balance of those two objectives in this history. Use the filters for exact transfer dates and year-by-year strategy returns.
Compound return of the relative-strength strategy portfolio for each calendar year (from month-end values). Select a year above to highlight it, or view all years below.
| Year | Start value | End value | Strategy return | Transfers | Vs C Fund |
|---|
Transfer dates are when the strategy moved money (From → To). Strategy total return is the compound return of the full portfolio for that calendar year — not a single fund. Use the Year filter above to isolate one year.
| Year | Strategy return | Transfers | Transfer dates | Path (from → to) |
|---|
| # | Date | From | To | Why (strategy signal) |
|---|
| Rank | Fund | 3-mo return | Action |
|---|
On or just after month-end, compute 3-month returns for C, S, and I (or use this page’s latest signal).
If the recommended fund differs from what you hold, log in to tsp.gov and submit an IFT before 12:00 noon Eastern.
Move 100% of the strategy balance into the recommended fund.
Do this at most once per calendar month to stay inside the two-IFT limit.